Coat-hanger



(No Model.)

G. E. RIDEOUT.

COAT HANGER.

No. 586,456. Patented July 13, 1897.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE E. RIDEOUT, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

COAT-HANGER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 586,456, dated July 13, 1897.

Application filed May 26, 1896. Serial No. 593,180. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE E. RIDEOUT, a

I citizen of the United States, residing at Boston, in the county of Suffolk and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Coat-Hangers, of which the following, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification.

The object of my invention is to produce a coat-hanger that can be folded to occupy but a small space, so that it can be carried in a pocket, a small hand-bag, or valise; and the invention consists of two pieces 'of wire, the main portions of which are formed to support a coat, said wires being twisted at their inner ends so as to form a hinge connection, a hook, and stop-piece, as hereinafter fully described, and pointed out in the claim.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 represents a coat-hanger embodying my invention expanded ready for use. Fig. 2 is a view of the same when folded ready for transportation. Fig. 3 is a plan view of the same.

A represents one of the pieces of wire, the outer end of which is formed with a hook 1. The stem 2 then passes down and is twisted into a loop 3, then extends outwardly at about right angles, but on a slight curve, as shown at 4. Then it is bent round, as at 5, and again bent inwardly on a curve 6, corresponding to that of 4:- Then it is twisted twice round, as shown at 7 and 8. One end 9 of the other piece of wire B passes through and forms a fulcrum for the loops 3 8 7, formed by the wire A, its outer end being bent upward, as at 10, and then bent to form a hook or stop 11 to embrace the stem 2 of the wire A when the holder is extended. The other end of the wire B is then bent outwardly at about right angles, but on a slight curve, as shown at 12, then bent round, as at 13, then inwardly on a curve 14, corresponding to that of 12. Then its end is twisted once around the portion 9, as shown at 15.

Supposing the coat-hanger to be in the extended position, as shown in Fig. 1, should it be desired to fold same all that has to be done is to bend the ends upward until the stop 11 is clear of the stem 2. Then by applying a slight side pressure to the wires the stop 11 will be free to pass the stem 2, and the hanger can be folded, as shown in Fig. 2. Should it be again desired to extend same, all that has to be done is to move the two pieces of wire A B apart until the stop 11 has passed the stem 2, by which it is retained, and the hanger is again ready for use.

It will be seen that by this construction only two pieces of wire are employed, which are so hinged together that they can be readily folded for transportation, thus occupying but a small space, and when required for use have only to be forced outwardly until the stop 11 is behind the stem 2, when they are locked in position so that they will not separate, when a coat can be hung thereon, the hook 1 being passed over a nail or other projection to support same.

Although I have shown and described the invention as particularly applicable to a coathanger it is obvious that the same may be applied to trousers or other garment hangers, the invention consisting in two pieces of wire being hinged and locked together, as set forth.

What I claim is- As a new article of manufacture a coathanger comprising two arms one hinged upon the other, a hook formed by the inner end of one arm and a stop formed by the inner end of the other arm whereby the hook may on gage the stop to hold the arms extended or be released from the stop to fold the arms together substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification, in the presence of two subscribing Witnesses, on this 30th day of March, A. D. 1896.

GEORGE E. RIDEOUT.

\Vitnesses:

CALEB H. SWAN, EDWIN PLANTA. 

